The Times of Israel: Witkoff Met President Aliyev in March to Discuss Abraham Accords Expansion
The administration of US President Donald Trump is actively considering the inclusion of Azerbaijan and several Central Asian countries in the Abraham Accords to deepen their ties with Israel, The Times of Israel reported on August 1. Signed in 2020 and 2021, the Accords normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and four Muslim-majority nations. As Azerbaijan and most Central Asian countries already have longstanding ties with Israel, their inclusion would be largely symbolic but could enhance trade and defense cooperation.
According to the report, a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia is viewed by the Trump administration as a necessary precondition for Baku's participation. Negotiations with Azerbaijan are described as "among the most structured and serious," with sources suggesting a deal could be finalized within months or even weeks. It was also revealed that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special representative for peace missions, visited Baku in March and met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. The State Department declined to comment on specific countries but affirmed that expanding the Accords is a central objective.
See Also
Armenia Strengthens International Partnerships During Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris
Iranian Ambassador Reaffirms Commitment to Armenia; Rejects Nakhchivan Strike Claims; Warns Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan Updates Nakhchivan Constitution, Emphasizes Integral Status
Fitch Confirms Azerbaijan to Maintain Dollar Peg and Stable Growth